Liquid-crystalline medium

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy, characterised in that it comprises one or more ester compounds of the formula I  
                 
 
and one or more compounds of the formula IA  
                 
 
in which R 1 , R 2 , ring A, ring B, L 1-6 , Z 1 , Z 2 , X 1  and X 2  are as defined in claim 1.

The present invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium, to the use thereof for electro-optical purposes, and to displays containing this medium.

Liquid-crystals are used principally as dielectrics in display devices, since the optical properties of such substances can be modified by an applied voltage. Electro-optical devices based on liquid crystals are extremely well known to the person skilled in the art and can be based on various effects. Examples of such devices are cells having dynamic scattering, DAP (deformation of aligned phases) cells, guest/host cells, TN cells having a twisted nematic structure, STN (supertwisted nematic) cells, SBE (super-birefringence effect) cells and OMI (optical mode interference) cells. The commonest display devices are based on the Schadt-Helfrich effect and have a twisted nematic structure.

The liquid-crystal materials must have good chemical and thermal stability and good stability to electric fields and electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, the liquid-crystal materials should have low viscosity and produce short addressing times, low threshold voltages and high contrast in the cells.

They should furthermore have a suitable mesophase, for example a nematic or cholesteric mesophase for the above-mentioned cells, at the usual operating temperatures, i.e. in the broadest possible range above and below room temperature. Since liquid crystals are generally used as mixtures of a plurality of components, it is important that the components are readily miscible with one another. Further properties, such as the electrical conductivity, the dielectric anisotropy and the optical anisotropy, have to satisfy various requirements depending on the cell type and area of application. For example, materials for cells having a twisted nematic structure should have positive dielectric anisotropy and low electrical conductivity.

For example, for matrix liquid-crystal displays with integrated non-linear elements for switching individual pixels (MLC displays), media having large positive dielectric anisotropy, broad nematic phases, relatively low birefringence, very high specific resistance, good UV and temperature stability and lower vapour pressure are desired.

Matrix liquid-crystal displays of this type are known. Non-linear elements which can be used for individual switching of the individual pixels are, for example, active elements (i.e. transistors). The term “active matrix” is then used, where a distinction can be made between two types:

-   1. MOS (metal oxide semiconductor) or other diodes on a silicon     wafer as substrate. -   2. Thin-film transistors (TFTs) on a glass plate as substrate.

The use of single-crystal silicon as substrate material restricts the display size, since even modular assembly of various part-displays results in problems at the joins.

In the case of the more promising type 2, which is preferred, the electro-optical effect used is usually the TN effect. A distinction is made between two technologies: TFTs comprising compound semiconductors, such as, for example, CdSe, or TFTs based on polycrystalline or amorphous silicon. Intensive work is being carried out world-wide on the latter technology.

The TFT matrix is applied to the inside of one glass plate of the display, while the other glass plate carries the transparent counterelectrode on its inside. Compared with the size of the pixel electrode, the TFT is very small and has virtually no adverse effect on the image. This technology can also be extended to fully colour-capable displays, in which a mosaic of red, green and blue filters is arranged in such a way that a filter element is opposite each switchable pixel.

The TFT displays usually operate as TN cells with crossed polarisers in transmission and are illuminated from the back.

The term MLC displays here covers any matrix display with integrated non-linear elements, i.e., besides the active matrix, also displays with passive elements, such as varistors or diodes (MIM=metal-insulator-metal).

MLC displays of this type are particularly suitable for TV applications (for example pocket TVs) or for high-information displays for computer applications (laptops) and in automobile or aircraft construction. Besides problems regarding the angle dependence of the contrast and the response times, difficulties also arise in MLC displays due to insufficiently high specific resistance of the liquid-crystal mixtures [TOGASHI, S., SEKIGUCHI, K., TANABE, H., YAMAMOTO, E., SORIMACHI, K., TAJIMA, E., WATANABE, H., SHIMIZU, H., Proc. Eurodisplay 84, September 1984: A 210-288 Matrix LCD Controlled by Double Stage Diode Rings, p. 141 ff, Paris; STROMER, M., Proc. Eurodisplay 84, September 1984: Design of Thin Film Transistors for Matrix Addressing of Television Liquid Crystal Displays, p. 145 ff, Paris]. With decreasing resistance, the contrast of an MLC display deteriorates, and the problem of after-image elimination may occur. Since the specific resistance of the liquid-crystal mixture generally drops over the life of an MLC display owing to interaction with the interior surfaces of the display, a high (initial) resistance is very important in order to obtain acceptable service lives. In particular in the case of low-volt mixtures, it was hitherto impossible to achieve very high specific resistance values. It is furthermore important that the specific resistance exhibits the smallest possible increase with increasing temperature and after heating and/or UV exposure. The low-temperature properties of the mixtures from the prior art are also particularly disadvantageous. It is demanded that no crystallisation and/or smectic phases occur, even at low temperatures, and the temperature dependence of the viscosity is as low as possible. The MLC displays from the prior art thus do not meet today's requirements.

There thus continues to be a great demand for MLC displays having very high specific resistance at the same time as a large working-temperature range, short response times even at low temperatures and low threshold voltage which do not have these disadvantages, or only do so to a reduced extent.

In addition to liquid-crystal displays which use back-lighting, i.e. are operated transmissively and if desired transflectively, reflective liquid-crystal displays are also particularly interesting. These reflective liquid-crystal displays use the ambient light for information display. They thus consume significantly less energy than back-lit liquid-crystal displays having a corresponding size and resolution. Since the TN effect is characterised by very good contrast, reflective displays of this type can even be read well in bright ambient conditions. This is already known of simple reflective TN displays, as used, for example, in watches and pocket calculators. However, the principle can also be applied to high-quality, higher-resolution active matrix-addressed displays, such as, for example, TFT displays. Here, as already in the transmissive TFT-TN displays which are generally conventional, the use of liquid crystals of low birefringence (Δn) is necessary in order to achieve low optical retardation (d*Δn). This low optical retardation results in usually acceptable low viewing-angle dependence of the contrast (cf. DE 30 22 818). In reflective displays, the use of liquid crystals of low birefringence is even more important than in transmissive displays since the effective layer thickness through which the light passes is approximately twice as large in reflective displays as in transmissive displays having the same layer thickness.

In TN (Schadt-Helfrich) cells, media are desired which facilitate the following advantages in the cells:

-   -   extended nematic phase range (in particular down to low         temperatures)     -   stable on storage, even at low temperatures     -   the ability to switch at extremely low temperatures (outdoor         use, automobile, avionics)     -   increased resistance to UV radiation (longer service life)     -   low optical birefringence (Δn) for reflective displays.

The media available from the prior art do not allow these advantages to be achieved while simultaneously retaining the other parameters.

In the case of supertwisted (STN) cells, media are desired which enable greater multiplexability and/or lower threshold voltages and/or broader nematic phase ranges (in particular at low temperatures). To this end, a further widening of the available parameter latitude (clearing point, smectic-nematic transition or melting point, viscosity, dielectric parameters, elastic parameters) is urgently desired.

The invention has the object of providing media, in particular for MLC, TN or STN displays of this type, which do not have the above-mentioned disadvantages or only do so to a reduced extent, and preferably simultaneously have very low threshold voltages and at the same time high values for the voltage holding ratio (VHR).

It has now been found that this object can be achieved if media according to the invention are used in displays.

The invention thus relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy, characterised in that it comprises one or more ester compounds of the formula I

and one or more compounds of the formula IA

in which the individual radicals have the following meanings:

-   R¹ and R² are each, independently of one another, H, a halogenated     unsubstituted alkyl radical having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, where     one or more CH₂ groups in these radicals may also be replaced, in     each case independently of one another, by —C≡C—, —CH═CH—, —O—,     —CO—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly     to one another, -   X¹ and X² are each, independently of one another, F, Cl, CN, SF₅,     SCN, NCS, a halogenated alkyl radical, a halogenated alkenyl     radical, a halogenated alkoxy radical or a halogenated alkenyloxy     radical, each having up to 6 carbon atoms, -   15 Z¹ and Z² are each, independently of one another, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—     or a single bond, where Z¹≠Z²,     are each, independently of one another, -   L¹⁻⁶ are each, independently of one another, H or F.

The compounds of the formulae I and IA have a broad range of applications. Depending on the choice of substituents, these compounds can serve as base materials of which liquid-crystalline media are predominantly composed; however, it is also possible to add compounds of the formulae I and IA to liquid-crystalline base materials from other classes of compound in order, for example, to modify the dielectric and/or optical anisotropy of a dielectric of this type and/or in order to optimise its threshold voltage and/or its viscosity.

In the pure state, the compounds of the formulae I and IA are colourless and form liquid-crystalline mesophases in a temperature range which is favourably located for electro-optical use. They are stable chemically, thermally and to light.

If R¹ and/or R² are an alkyl radical and/or an alkoxy radical, this may be straight-chain or branched. It is preferably straight-chain, has 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 carbon atoms and accordingly is preferably ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentoxy, hexyloxy or heptyloxy, furthermore methyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, methoxy, octyloxy, nonyloxy, decyloxy, undecyloxy, dodecyloxy, tridecyloxy or tetradecyloxy.

Oxaalkyl is preferably straight-chain 2-oxapropyl (=methoxymethyl), 2-(=ethoxymethyl) or 3-oxabutyl (=2-methoxyethyl), 2-, 3- or 4-oxapentyl, 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-oxahexyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-oxaheptyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-oxaoctyl, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-oxanonyl, or 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8- or 9-oxadecyl.

If R¹ and/or R² are an alkyl radical in which one CH₂ group has been replaced by —CH═CH—, this may be straight-chain or branched. It is preferably straight-chain and has 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Accordingly, it is in particular vinyl, prop-1- or prop-2-enyl, but-1-, -2- or -3-enyl, pent-1-, -2-, -3- or -4-enyl, hex-1-, -2-, -3-, 4- or -5-enyl, hept-1-, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5- or -6-enyl, oct-1-, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-enyl, non-1-, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6-, -7- or -8-enyl, or dec-1-, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6-, -7-, -8- or -9-enyl.

If R¹ and/or R² are an alkyl radical in which one CH₂ group has been replaced by —O— and one has been replaced by —CO—, these are preferably adjacent. These thus contain an acyloxy group —CO—O— or an oxycarbonyl group —O—CO. These are preferably straight-chain and have 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Accordingly, they are in particular acetoxy, propionyloxy, butyryloxy, pentanoyloxy, hexanoyloxy, acetoxymethyl, propionyloxymethyl, butyryloxymethyl, pentanoyloxymethyl, 2-acetoxyethyl, 2-propionyloxyethyl, 2-butyryloxyethyl, 3-acetoxypropyl, 3-propionyloxypropyl, 4-acetoxybutyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl, pentoxycarbonyl, methoxycarbonylmethyl, ethoxycarbonylmethyl, propoxycarbonylmethyl, butoxycarbonylmethyl, 2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl, 2-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl, 2-(propoxycarbonyl)ethyl, 3-(methoxycarbonyl)propyl, 3-(ethoxycarbonyl)propyl or 4-(methoxycarbonyl)butyl.

If R¹ and/or R² are an alkyl radical in which one CH₂ group has been replaced by unsubstituted or substituted —CH═CH— and an adjacent CH₂ group has been replaced by CO or CO—O or O—CO, this may be straight-chain or branched. It is preferably straight-chain and has 4 to 12 carbon atoms. Accordingly, it is in particular acryloyloxymethyl, 2-acryloyloxyethyl, 3-acryloyloxypropyl, 4-acryloyloxybutyl, 5-acryloyloxypentyl, 6-acryloyloxyhexyl, 7-acryloyloxyheptyl, 8-acryloyloxyoctyl, 9-acryloyloxynonyl, 10-acryloyloxydecyl, methacryoyloxymethyl, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl, 3-methacryloyloxypropyl, 4-methacryloyloxybutyl, 5-methacryloyloxypentyl, 6-methacryloyloxyhexyl, 7-methacryloyloxyheptyl, 8-methacryloyloxyoctyl or 9-methacryloyloxynonyl.

If R¹ and/or R² are an alkyl or alkenyl radical which is monosubstituted by CN or CF₃, this radical is preferably straight-chain. The substitution by CN or CF₃ is in any desired position.

If R¹ and/or R² are an alkyl or alkenyl radical which is at least monosubstituted by halogen, this radical is preferably straight-chain, and halogen is preferably F or Cl. In the case of polysubstitution, halogen is preferably F. The resultant radicals also include perfluorinated radicals. In the case of monosubstitution, the fluorine or chlorine substituent may be in any desired position, but is preferably in the co-position.

Compounds containing branched wing groups R¹ and/or R² may occasionally be of importance owing to better solubility in the conventional liquid-crystalline base materials, but in particular as chiral dopants if they are optically active. Smectic compounds of this type are suitable as components of ferroelectric materials.

Branched groups of this type generally contain not more than one chain branch. Preferred branched radicals R¹ and/or R² are isopropyl, 2-butyl (=1-methylpropyl), isobutyl (=2-methylpropyl), 2-methylbutyl, isopentyl (=3-methylbutyl), 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 2-propylpentyl, isopropoxy, 2-methylpropoxy, 2-methylbutoxy, 3-methylbutoxy, 2-methylpentoxy, 3-methylpentoxy, 2-ethylhexyloxy, 1-methylhexyloxy and 1-methylheptyloxy.

If R¹ and/or R² are an alkyl radical in which two or more CH₂ groups have been replaced by —O— and/or —CO—O—, this may be straight-chain or branched. It is preferably branched and has from 3 to 12 carbon atoms. Accordingly, it is in particular biscarboxymethyl, 2,2-biscarboxyethyl, 3,3-biscarboxypropyl, 4,4-biscarboxybutyl, 5,5-biscarboxypentyl, 6,6-biscarboxyhexyl, 7,7-biscarboxyheptyl, 8,8-biscarboxyoctyl, 9,9-biscarboxynonyl, 10,10-biscarboxydecyl, bis(methoxycarbonyl)methyl, 2,2-bis(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl, 3,3-bis(methoxycarbonyl)propyl, 4,4-bis(methoxycarbonyl)butyl, 5,5-bis(methoxycarbonyl)pentyl, 6,6-bis(methocycarbonyl)hexyl, 7,7-bis(methoxycarbonyl)heptyl, 8,8-bis(methoxycarbonyl)octyl, bis(ethoxycarbonyl)methyl, 2,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl, 3,3-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)propyl, 4,4-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)butyl or 5,5-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)hexyl.

The compounds of the formulae I and IA are prepared by methods known per se, as described in the literature (for example in the standard works, such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart), to be precise under reaction conditions which are known and suitable for the said reactions. Use can also be made here of variants which are known per se, but are not mentioned here in greater detail. The compounds of the formula IA are known, for example, from DE-A40 06 921, EP-A 1 046 693 A1 and EP-A 1 046 694 A1.

The invention also relates to electro-optical displays (in particular STN or MLC displays having two plane-parallel outer plates, which, together with a frame, form a cell, integrated non-linear elements for switching individual pixels on the outer plates, and a nematic liquid-crystal mixture of positive dielectric anisotropy and high specific resistance which is located in the cell) which contain media of this type, and to the use of these media for electro-optical purposes.

The liquid-crystal mixtures according to the invention enable a significant widening of the available parameter latitude.

The achievable combinations of clearing point, viscosity at low temperature, thermal and UV stability and dielectric anisotropy are far superior to previous materials from the prior art.

Compared with the mixtures disclosed in EP 1 046 693 A1, the mixtures according to the invention have a higher clearing point, low γ₁ values and very high values for the VHR at 100° C. The mixtures according to the invention are preferably suitable as TN-TFT mixtures for notebook PC applications with 3.3 and 2.5 V drivers.

The requirement for a high clearing point, a nematic phase at low temperature and a high Δε has hitherto only been achieved to an inadequate extent. Although mixtures such as, for example, ZLI-3119 have a comparable clearing point and comparably favourable viscosities, they have, however, a Δε of only +3.

Other mixture systems have comparable viscosities and Δε values, but only have clearing points in the region of 60° C.

The liquid-crystal mixtures according to the invention, while retaining the nematic phase down to −20° C. and preferably down to −30° C., particularly preferably down to −40° C., enable clearing points above 60° C., preferably above 65° C., particularly preferably above 70° C., simultaneously dielectric anisotropy values Δε of >6, preferably >8, and a high value for the specific resistance to be achieved, enabling excellent STN and MLC displays to be obtained. In particular, the mixtures are characterised by low operating voltages. The TN thresholds are below 2.0 V, preferably below 1.5 V, particularly preferably <1.3 V.

It goes without saying that, through a suitable choice of the components of the mixtures according to the invention, it is also possible for higher clearing points (for example above 110°) to be achieved at a higher threshold voltage or lower clearing points to be achieved at lower threshold voltages with retention of the other advantageous properties. At viscosities correspondingly increased only slightly, it is likewise possible to obtain mixtures having greater Δε and thus lower thresholds. The MLC displays according to the invention preferably operate at the first Gooch and Tarry transmission minimum [C. H. Gooch and H. A. Tarry, Electron. Lett. 10, 2-4, 1974; C. H. Gooch and H. A. Tarry, Appl. Phys., Vol. 8, 1575-1584, 1975] are used, where, besides particularly favourable electro-optical properties, such as, for example, high steepness of the characteristic line and low angle dependence of the contrast (German Patent 30 22 818), a lower dielectric anisotropy is sufficient at the same threshold voltage as in an analogous display at the second minimum. This enables significantly higher specific resistances to be achieved using the mixtures according to the invention at the first minimum than in the case of mixtures comprising cyano compounds. Through a suitable choice of the individual components and their proportions by weight, the person skilled in the art is able to set the birefringence necessary for a pre-specified layer thickness of the MLC display using simple routine methods.

The flow viscosity ν₂₀ at 20° C. is preferably <60 mm²·s⁻¹, particularly preferably <50 mm²·s⁻¹. The rotational viscosity γ₁ at 20° C. of the mixtures according to the invention is preferably <160 mPa·s, particularly preferably <150 mPa·s. The nematic phase range is preferably at least 90°, in particular at least 100°. This range preferably extends at least from −20° to +80°.

A short response time is desired in liquid-crystal displays. This applies in particular to displays which are capable of video reproduction. For displays of this type, response times (sum: t_(on)+t_(off)) of at most 16 ms are required. The upper limit of the response time is determined by the image refresh frequency.

Measurements of the voltage holding ratio (HR) [S. Matsumoto et al., Liquid Crystals 5, 1320 (1989); K. Niwa et al., Proc. SID Conference, San Francisco, June 1984, p. 304 (1984); G. Weber et al., Liquid Crystals 5, 1381 (1989)] have shown that mixtures according to the invention comprising compounds of the formulae I and IA exhibit a significantly smaller decrease in the HR with increasing temperature than, for example, analogous mixtures comprising cyanophenylcyclohexanes of the formula

or esters of the formula

instead of the compounds of the formula IA.

The UV stability of the mixtures according to the invention is also considerably better, i.e. they exhibit a significantly smaller decrease in the HR on exposure to UV.

Formula I preferably covers the following compounds:

in which R¹ is as defined in claim 1. R¹ is preferably H, CH₃, C₂H₅, n-C₃H₇, n-C₄H₉, n-C₅H₁₁, n-C₆H₁₃, CH₂═CH, CH₃CH═CH or 3-alkenyl.

Preference is given to media according to the invention which comprise at least one compound of the formulae I-1, I-2, I-8 and/or I-11, particularly preferably in each case at least one compound of the formula I-2.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula IA are compounds of the formulae IA-1 to IA-25:

in which R² is as defined above.

Of these preferred compounds, particular preference is given to those of the formulae IA-1, IA-2, IA-3, IA-4 and IA-15, in particular those of the formulae IA-1 and IA-2.

R² in the compounds of the formulae IA and IA1 to IA-24 is preferably H, straight-chain alkyl having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, in particular CH₃, C₂H₅, n-C₃H₇, N—C₄H₉, n-C₅H, n-C₆H₁₃, n-C₇H₁₅, furthermore 1E- or 3-alkenyl, in particular CH₂═CH, CH₃CH═CH, CH₂═CHCH₂CH₂ or CH₃CH═CH—CH₂CH₂.

The compounds of the formula IA have been disclosed, for example, in EP 0 334 911 B1 and WO 01/25370.

Preferred embodiments are indicated below:

-   -   The medium comprises one, two or more compounds selected from         the group consisting of the formulae IA-1 to IA-24;     -   The medium preferably comprises in each case one or more,         preferably two or three, compounds (homologues) of the formulae         I-2 and IA-15;     -   The medium preferably comprises in each case one or more,         preferably two or three, compounds (homologs) of the formulae         I-2 and IA-3;     -   The medium additionally comprises one or more compounds selected         from the group consisting of the general formulae II to VI:     -    in which the individual radicals are as defined below:     -   R⁰ is n-alkyl, oxaalkyl, fluoroalkyl or alkenyl, each having up         to 9 carbon atoms,     -   X⁰ is F, Cl, halogenated alkyl, alkenyl, alkenyloxy or alkoxy         having up to 6 carbon atoms,     -   Z⁰ is —C₂F₄—, —CF═CF—, —C₂H₄—, —(CH₂)₄—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —OCH₂—         or —CH₂O—,     -   Y¹ to Y⁴ are each, independently of one another, H or F,     -   r is 0 or 1.

The compound of the formula IV is preferably

-   -   The medium additionally comprises one or more compounds selected         from the group consisting of the general formulae VII to XIII:     -    in which R⁰, X⁰, Y¹ and Y² are each, independently of one         another, as defined in claim 4. Y³ is H or F. X⁰ is preferably         F, Cl, CF₃, OCF₃ or OCHF₂. R⁰ is preferably alkyl, oxaalkyl,         fluoroalkyl or alkenyl, each having up to 6 carbon atoms.     -   The medium additionally comprises one or more ester compounds of         the formulae Ea to Ed     -    in which R⁰ is as defined in claim 4;     -   The proportion of the compounds of the formulae Ea to Ed is         preferably 10-30% by weight, in particular 15-25% by weight;     -   The proportion of compounds of the formulae IA and I to VI         together in the mixture as a whole is at least 50% by weight;     -   The proportion of compounds of the formula I in the mixture as a         whole is from 5 to 40% by weight, particularly preferably from         10 to 30% by weight;     -   The proportion of compounds of the formula IA in the mixture as         a whole is from 5 to 40% by weight, particularly preferably from         10 to 30% by weight;     -   The proportion of compounds of the formulae II to VI in the         mixture as a whole is from 30 to 80% by weight;     -   The medium comprises compounds of the formula II, III, IV, V or         VI;     -   R⁰ is straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl having from 2 to 7 carbon         atoms;     -   The medium essentially consists of compounds of the formulae IA,         I to VI and XIII;     -   The medium comprises further compounds, preferably selected from         the following group consisting of the general formulae XIV to         XVII:          in which R⁰ and X⁰ are as defined above, and the 1,4-phenylene         rings may be substituted by CN, chlorine or fluorine. The         1,4-phenylene rings are preferably monosubstituted or         polysubstituted by fluorine atoms.     -   The medium additionally comprises one or more compounds of the         formula XVIII     -    in which R⁰, X⁰, Y¹ and Y² are as defined above.     -   The medium additionally comprises one, two, three or more,         preferably two or three, compounds of the formulae     -    in which “alkyl” and “alkyl*” are as defined below.     -    The proportion of the compounds of the formulae O1 and/or O2 in         the mixtures according to the invention is preferably 5-10% by         weight.     -   The medium preferably comprises 5-35% by weight of compound IVa.     -   The medium preferably comprises one, two or three compounds of         the formula IVa in which X⁰ is F or OCF₃.     -   The medium preferably comprises one or more compounds of the         formulae IIa to lIg     -    in which R⁰ is as defined above. In the compounds of the         formulae IIa-IIg, R⁰ is preferably H, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,         n-butyl or n-pentyl, furthermore n-hexyl or n-heptyl.

The (I+IA):(II+III+IV+V+VI) weight ratio is preferably from 1:10 to 10:1.

-   -   The medium essentially consists of compounds selected from the         group consisting of the general formulae IA and I to XIII.     -   The proportion of the compounds of the formulae IVb and/or IVc         in which X⁰ is fluorine and R⁰ is C₂H₅, n-C₃H₇, n-C₄H₅ or         n-C₅H₁₁ in the mixture as a whole is from 2 to 20% by weight, in         particular from 2 to 15% by weight;     -   The medium preferably comprises one, two or three, furthermore         four, homologs of the compounds selected from the group         consisting of H1 to H18 (n=1-12):     -   The medium comprises further compounds, preferably selected from         the following group consisting of the general formulae XVI to         XIX:     -    in which R⁰ and X⁰ are as defined above, and the 1,4-phenylene         rings may be substituted by CN, chlorine or fluorine. The         1,4-phenylene rings are preferably monosubstituted or         polysubstituted by fluorine atoms.     -   The medium comprises further compounds, preferably selected from         the following group consisting of the formulae RI to RVIII     -    in which         -   R⁰ is n-alkyl, oxaalkyl, fluoroalkyl, alkenyloxy or alkenyl,             each having up to 9 carbon atoms,         -   Y¹ is H or F,         -   alkyl and alkyl* are each, independently of one another, a             straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1-9 carbon             atoms,         -   alkenyl and alkenyl* are each, independently of one another,             a straight-chain or branched alkenyl radical having up to 9             carbon atoms.     -   The medium preferably comprises one or more compounds of the         formulae     -    in which     -    n and m are each 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12. n and         m are preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.     -   Medium additionally comprising one, two or more compounds having         fused rings, of the formulae AN1 to AN11:     -    in which R⁰ is as defined above.

It has been found that even a relatively small proportion of compounds of the formulae I and IA mixed with conventional liquid-crystal materials, but in particular with one or more compounds of the formulae I, III, IV, V and/or VI, results in a lowering of the threshold voltage and in high values for the VHR (100° C.), with broad nematic phases with low smectic-nematic transition temperatures being observed at the same time, improving the shelf life. Preference is given, in particular, to mixtures which, besides one or more compounds of the formulae I and IA, comprise one or more compounds of the formula IV, in particular compounds of the formula IVa in which X⁰ is F or OCF₃. The compounds of the formulae IA and I to VI are colourless, stable and readily miscible with one another and with other liquid-crystalline materials.

The term “alkyl” or “alkyl*” covers straight-chain and branched alkyl groups having 1-7 carbon atoms, in particular the straight-chain groups methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl and heptyl. Groups having 2-5 carbon atoms are generally preferred.

The term “alkenyl” covers straight-chain and branched alkenyl groups having 2-7 carbon atoms, in particular the straight-chain groups. Preferred alkenyl groups are C₂-C₇-1E-alkenyl, C₄-C₇-3E-alkenyl, C₅-C₇-4-alkenyl, C₆-C₇-5-alkenyl and C₇-6-alkenyl, in particular C₂-C₇-1E-alkenyl, C₄-C₇-3E-alkenyl and C₅-C₇-4-alkenyl. Examples of particularly preferred alkenyl groups are vinyl, 1E-propenyl, 1E-butenyl, 1E-pentenyl, 1E-hexenyl, 1E-heptenyl, 3-butenyl, 3E-pentenyl, 3E-hexenyl, 3E-heptenyl, 4-pentenyl, 4Z-hexenyl, 4E-hexenyl, 4Z-heptenyl, 5-hexenyl, 6-heptenyl and the like. Groups having up to 5 carbon atoms are generally preferred.

The term “fluoroalkyl” preferably covers straight-chain groups having a terminal fluorine, i.e. fluoromethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 3-fluoropropyl, 4-fluorobutyl, 5-fluoropentyl, 6-fluorohexyl and 7-fluoroheptyl. However, other positions of the fluorine are not excluded.

The term “oxaalkyl” preferably covers straight-chain radicals of the formula C_(n)H_(2n+1)—O—(CH₂)_(m), in which n and m are each, independently of one another, from 1 to 6. Preferably, n=1 and m is from 1 to 6.

Through a suitable choice of the meanings of R⁰ and X⁰, the addressing times, the threshold voltage, the steepness of the transmission characteristic lines, etc., can be modified in the desired manner. For example, 1E-alkenyl radicals, 3E-alkenyl radicals, 2E-alkenyloxy radicals and the like generally result in shorter addressing times, improved nematic tendencies and a higher ratio of the elastic constants k₃₃ (bend) and k₁₁ (splay) compared with alkyl or alkoxy radicals. 4-alkenyl radicals, 3-alkenyl radicals and the like generally give lower threshold voltages and smaller values of k₃₃/k₁₁ compared with alkyl and alkoxy radicals.

A —CH₂CH₂— group generally results in higher values of k₃₃/k₁₁ compared with a single covalent bond. Higher values of k₃₃/k₁₁ facilitate, for example, flatter transmission characteristic lines in TN cells with a 90° twist (in order to achieve grey shades) and steeper transmission characteristic lines in STN, SBE and OMI cells (greater multiplexability), and vice versa.

The optimum mixing ratio of the compounds of the formulae I, IA and II+III+IV+V+VI depends substantially on the desired properties, on the choice of the components of the formulae I, IA, II, III, IV, V and/or VI, and on the choice of any other components that may be present. Suitable mixing ratios within the range given above can easily be determined from case to case.

The total amount of compounds of the formulae IA and I to XIII in the mixtures according to the invention is not crucial. The mixtures can therefore comprise one or more further components for the purposes of optimisation of various properties. However, the observed effect on the addressing times and the threshold voltage is generally greater, the higher the total concentration of compounds of the formulae IA and I to XIII.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the media according to the invention comprise compounds of the formulae II to VI (preferably II, III and/or IV, in particular IVa) in which X⁰ is F, OCF₃, OCHF₂, F, OCH═CF₂, OCF═CF₂ or OCF₂—CF₂H. A favourable synergistic effect with the compounds of the formulae I and IA results in particularly advantageous properties. In particular, mixtures comprising compounds of the formula I, IA and of the formula IVa are distinguished by their low threshold voltages.

The individual compounds of the formulae IA and I to XVIII and their sub-formulae which can be used in the media according to the invention are either known or can be prepared analogously to the known compounds.

The construction of the MLC display according to the invention from polarisers, electrode base plates and surface-treated electrodes corresponds to the conventional construction for displays of this type. The term conventional construction is broadly drawn here and also covers all derivatives and modifications of the MLC display, in particular including matrix display elements based on poly-Si TFT or MIM.

A significant difference between the displays according to the invention and the conventional displays based on the twisted nematic cell consists, however, in the choice of the liquid-crystal parameters of the liquid-crystal layer.

The liquid-crystal mixtures which can be used in accordance with the invention are prepared in a manner conventional per se. In general, the desired amount of the components used in the lesser amount is dissolved in the components making up the principal constituent, advantageously at elevated temperature. It is also possible to mix solutions of the components in an organic solvent, for example in acetone, chloroform or methanol, and to remove the solvent again, for example by distillation, after thorough mixing.

The dielectrics may also comprise further additives known to the person skilled in the art and described in the literature. For example, 0-15% of pleochroic dyes, antioxidants, UV absorbers and/or chiral dopants can be added.

C denotes a crystalline phase, S a smectic phase, S_(C) a smectic C phase, N a nematic phase and I the isotropic phase.

V₁₀ denotes the voltage for 10% transmission (viewing angle perpendicular to the plate surface). t_(on) denotes the switch-on time and t_(off) the switch-off time at an operating voltage corresponding to 2.0 times the value of V₁₀. Δ n denotes the optical anisotropy. As denotes the dielectric anisotropy (Δε=ε_(∥)−ε_(⊥), where ε_(∥) denotes the dielectric constant parallel to the longitudinal molecular axes and ε_(⊥)denotes the dielectric constant perpendicular thereto). The electro-optical data were measured in a TN cell at the 1st minimum (i.e. at a d·Δn value of 0.5 μm) at 20° C., unless expressly stated otherwise. The optical data were measured at 20° C., unless expressly stated otherwise.

In the present application and in the examples below, the structures of the liquid-crystal compounds are indicated by means of acronyms, the transformation into chemical formulae taking place in accordance with Tables A and B below. All radicals C_(n)H_(2n+1) and C_(m)H_(2m+1) are straight-chain alkyl radicals having n and m carbon atoms respectively; n and m are integers and are preferably 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12. The coding in Table B is self-evident. In Table A, only the acronym for the parent structure is indicated. In individual cases, the acronym for the parent structure is followed, separated by a dash, by a code for the substituents R^(1*), R^(2*), L^(1*), L^(2*) and L^(3*): Code for R¹*, R²*, L¹*, L²*, L³* R¹* R²* L¹* L²* L³* nm C_(n)H_(2n+1) C_(m)H_(2m+1) H H H nOm OC_(n)H_(2n+1) C_(m)H_(2m+1) H H H nO.m C_(n)H_(2n+1) OC_(m)H_(2m+1) H H H n C_(n)H_(2n+1) CN H H H nN.F C_(n)H_(2n+1) CN H H F nN.F.F C_(n)H_(2n+1) CN H F F nF C_(n)H_(2n+1) F H H H nOF OC_(n)H_(2n+1) F H H H nF.F C_(n)H_(2n+1) F H H F nmF C_(n)H_(2n+1) C_(m)H_(2m+1) F H H nOCF₃ C_(n)H_(2n+1) OCF₃ H H H nOCF₃.F C_(n)H_(2n+1) OCF₃ F H H n-Vm C_(n)H_(2n+1) —CH═CH—C_(m)H_(2m+1) H H H nV-Vm C_(n)H_(2n+1)— —CH═CH—C_(m)H_(2m+1) H H H CH═CH—

Preferred mixture components are given in Tables A and B. TABLE A

PYP

PYRP

BCH

CBC

CCH

CCP

CPTP

CEPTP

ECCP

CECP

EPCH

PCH

PTP

BECH

EBCH

CPC

B

FET-n-F

CGG

CGU

CFU

PGU

TABLE B

BCH-n.Fm

CFU-n-F

CBC-nmF

ECCP-nm

CCAU-n-F

T-nFm

CGU-n-F

CDU-n-F

DCU-n-F

CGG-n-F

CPZG-n-OT

CC-nV-Vm

CCP-Vn-m

CCG-V-F

CCP-nV-m

CC-n-V

CCQU-n-F

CC-n-V1

CCQG-n-F

CQCU-n-F

Dec-U-n-F

CWCU-n-F

CWCG-n-F

CCOC-n-m

CPTU-n-F

GPTU-n-F

PQU-n-F

PUQU-n-F

PGU-n-F

CGZP-n-OT

CCGU-n-F

CCQG-n-F

CUQU-n-F

PCQU-n-F

CUQU-n-F

CGUQU-n-F

CCPU-n-F

CECU-n-F

CCEU-n-F

CPEU-n-F

CPUQU-n-F

Particular preference is given to liquid-crystalline mixtures which, besides the compounds of the formulae I and IA, comprise at least one, two, three or four compounds from Table B. TABLE C Table C shows possible dopants which are generally added to the mixtures according to the invention.

C 15

CB 15

CM 21

R/S-811

CM 44

CM 45

CM 47

R/S-1011

R/S-3011

CN

R/S-2011

TABLE D Stabilisers which can be added, for example, to the mixtures according to the invention are mentioned below.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

In the foregoing and in the examples, all temperatures are set forth uncorrected in degrees Celsius and, all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise indicated.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited herein and of corresponding German application No. 10204790.1, filed Feb. 6, 2002 is incorporated by reference herein.

m.p. denotes melting point, clap. clearing point. Furthermore, C=crystalline state, N=nematic phase, S=smectic phase and I=isotropic phase. The data between these symbols represent the transition temperatures. Δn denotes optical anisotropy (589 nm, 20° C.), Δε the dielectric anisotropy (1 kHz, 20° C.), and the flow viscosity ν₂₀ (mm²/sec) was determined at 20° C. The rotational viscosity γ₁ (mPa·s) was likewise determined at 20° C.

EXAMPLE M1

PUQU-3-F 7.00% Clearing point [° C.]: +70 BCH-3F.F.F 5.50% Δn [589 nm; 20° C.]: +0.0932 CUQU-3-F 5.00% Δε [1 kHz; 20° C.]: 13.5 CCP-2F.F 12.00% VHR (100° C.): 94.5 CCP-3F.F.F 10.00% γ₁ [mPa · s; 20° C.]: 159 CECG-3-F 10.00% V_(10,0,20): 0.94 CCZU-3-F 13.00% CCZU-4-F 5.00% CDU-3-F 3.00% DCU-4-F 6.00% CGUQU-2-F 8.50% CGUQU-3-F 4.00% CGZP-2-OT 6.00% CGZP-3-OT 5.00%

EXAMPLE M2

CC-3-V 16.00% S→N [° C.]: −40.0 CCZU-2-F 4.00% Clearing point [° C.]: +79.0 CCZU-3-F 15.00% Δn [589 nm; 20° C.]: +0.0883 CGZP-2-OT 10.00% VHR (100° C.): 94.6 CDU-2-F 7.00% γ₁ [mPa · s; 20° C.]: 127 CDU-3-F 9.00% V_(10,0,20): 1.04 CDU-5-F 9.00% CCH-35 5.00% CGU-2-F 3.00% CC-3-V1 2.00% CPUQU-3-F 10.00% CPUQU-2-F 10.00%

EXAMPLE M3

CC-3-V 19.00% S→N [° C.]: −40.0 CCH-35 3.00% Clearing point [° C.]: +79.0 CCZU-2-F 4.00% Δn [589 nm; 20° C.]: +0.0887 CCZU-3-F 14.00% γ₁ [mPa · s; 20° C.]: 132 CGZP-2-OT 10.00% V_(10,0,20): 0.99 CGZP-3-OT 8.00% VHR (100° C.): 94.5 CDU-2-F 9.00% γ₁ [mPa · s; 20° C.]: 159 CDU-3-F 9.00% V_(10,0,20): 0.94 CDU-5-F 4.00% CGUQU-2-F 10.00% CGUQU-3-F 10.00%

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE (EXAMPLE FROM P. 37 of EP 1 046 693)

PUQU-3-F 4.0% Clearing point [° C.]: +70.1 BCH-3F.F.F 21.0% Δn [589 nm; 20° C.]: +0.0926 CCPU-3-F 4.0% Δε [1 kHz; 20° C.]: 12.0 CUQU-3-F 4.0% VHR (100° C.): 90.8 CCP-2F.F 7.0% γ₁ [mPa · s; 20° C.]: 161 CCP-3F.F 7.0% V_(10,0,20): 1.01 CCP-3F.F.F 8.0% CECU-3-F 10.0% CCEU-3-F 10.0% CCEU-4-F 3.0% CPEU-2-F 2.0% CPEU-3-F 3.0% CDU-3-F 3.0% DCU-4-F 7.0% DCU-5-F 7.0%

EXAMPLE M4

CC-3-V 16.00% CCH-35 4.00% CCP-1F.F.F 11.00% CCP-2F.F.F 9.00% CCP-3F.F.F 5.00% CCP-20CF₃.F 11.00% CCZU-2-F 4.00% CCZU-3-F 15.00% CCZU-5-F 4.00% CGZP-2-OT 10.00% CPUQU-2-F 2.00% CPUQU-3-F 7.00% CCOC-3-3 2.00%

EXAMPLE M5

CC-3-V1 3.00% CCH-35 4.00% CC-5-V 12.00% CCH-3CF₃ 4.00% CCP-1F.F.F 11.00% CCP-2F.F.F 9.00% CCP-20CF₃ 5.00% CCP-20CF₃.F 6.00% CCZU-2-F 4.00% CCZU-3-F 15.00% CCZU-5-F 4.00% CGZP-2-OT 10.00% CGZP-3-OT 4.00% CPUQU-2-F 7.00% CCOC-3-3 2.00%

EXAMPLE M6

CDU-2-F 9.00% CDU-3-F 9.00% PGU-2-F 9.00% PGU-3-F 6.00% CGZP-2-OT 10.00% CCZU-2-F 4.00% CCZU-3-F 15.00% CCZU-5-F 2.00% CC-5-V 13.00% CC-3-V1 11.00% CCP-20CF₃ 9.00% CPUQU-2-F 3.00%

EXAMPLE M7

CC-3-V 15.00% S→N [° C.]: −40.0 CCZU-2-F 4.00% Clearing point [° C.]: +80.0 CCZU-3-F 14.00% Δn [589 nm; 20° C.]: +0.0899 CGZP-2-OT 10.00% VHR (100° C.): 92 CDU-2-F 7.00% γ₁ [mPa · s; 20° C.]: 119 CDU-3-F 8.00% HTP [20° C.; μm]: 0.50 CDU-5-F 7.00% Twist [°]: 90 PGU-2-F 1.00% V₁₀ [V]: 1.07 CCH-35 4.00% CGU-2-F 2.50% CC-3-V1 7.50% CPUQU-3-F 10.00% CPUQU-2-F 10.00%

EXAMPLE M8

CCP-20CF₃ 3.00% S→N [° C.]: −40.0 CCP-30CF₃ 7.00% Clearing point [° C.]: +83.5 CCP-40CF₃ 3.00% Δn [589 nm; 20° C.]: +0.0805 CCZU-2-F 4.00% VHR (100° C.): 98.6 CCZU-3-F 13.00% γ₁ [mPa · s; 20° C.]: 89 CGZP-2-OT 8.00% HTP [20° C.; μm]: 0.50 CDU-2-F 9.00% Twist [°]: 90 CDU-3-F 6.00% V₁₀ [V]: 1.30 CC-3-V1 12.00% CC-3-V 18.00% CCH-35 4.00% CGUQU-2-F 10.00% CGUQU-3-F 3.00%

EXAMPLE M9

CC-3-V 18.00% S→N [° C.]: −40.0 CCH-35 4.00% Clearing point [° C.]: +80.0 CCZU-2-F 3.00% Δn [589 nm; 20° C.]: +0.0890 CCZU-3-F 15.00% γ₁ [mPa · s; 20° C.]: 135 CGZP-2-OT 10.00% HTP [20° C.; μm]: 0.50 CGZP-3-OT 7.50% Twist [°]: 90 CGU-2-F 0.50% V₁₀ [V]: 1.00 CDU-2-F 8.00% CDU-3-F 8.00% CDU-5-F 6.00% CGUQU-2-F 10.00% CGUQU-3-F 10.00%

EXAMPLE M10

CCP-20CF₃ 7.00% S→N [° C.]: −40.0 CCP-30CF₃ 4.00% Clearing point [° C.]: +80.5 CCP-2F.F.F 3.00% Δn [589 nm; 20° C.]: +0.0800 CCZU-2-F 4.00% γ₁ [mPa · s; 20° C.]: 90 CCZU-3-F 13.00% HTP [20° C.; μm]: 0.50 CGZP-2-OT 6.00% Twist [°]: 90 CDU-2-F 7.00% V₁₀ [V]: 1.28 CDU-3-F 7.00% CC-3-V1 11.00% CC-3-V 18.00% CCH-35 5.00% CGUQU-2-F 10.00% CGUQU-3-F 5.00%

The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. 

1. A liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy, comprising at least one ester compound of formula I

and at least one compound of formula ia

wherein: R¹ and R² are each, independently H, a halogenated unsubstituted alkyl radical having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, where one or more CH₂ groups in these radicals is optionally independently replaced by —C≡C—, —CH═CH—, —O—, —CO—O— or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another, X¹ and X² are each, independently F, Cl, CN, SF₅, SCN, NCS, a halogenated alkyl radical, a halogenated alkenyl radical, a halogenated alkoxy radical or a halogenated alkenyloxy radical, each having up to 6 carbon atoms, Z¹ and Z² are each, independently —CF₂O—, —OCF₂— or a single bond, where Z¹≠Z²,

and are each, independently

L¹⁻⁶ are each, independently H or F.
 2. The liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, comprising at least one compound of formulae IA1-IA25:


3. The liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, comprising at least one compound of formulae I-1 to I-5


4. The liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, additionally comprising at least one compound of the formulae II, III, IV, V or VI:

wherein: R⁰ is H, n-alkyl, oxaalkyl, fluoroalkyl or alkenyl, each having up to 9 carbon atoms, X⁰ is F, Cl, halogenated alkyl, alkenyl or alkoxy having up to 6 carbon atoms, Z⁰ is —C₂F₄—, —CF═CF—, —C₂H₄—, —(CH₂)₄—, —CF₂O—, —OCF₂—, —OCH₂— or —CH₂O—, Y⁰ and Y² are each, independently H or F, and r is 0 or
 1. 5. The medium according to claim 4, having a proportion of compounds of formulae IA and I to VI together in the mixture as a whole of at least 50% by weight.
 6. The medium according to claim 1, additionally comprising at least one compound of formulae Ea to Ed

in which R⁰ is H, n-alkyl, oxaalkyl, fluoroalkyl or alkenyl, each having up to 9 carbon atoms.
 7. The medium according to claim 1, comprising at least one compound of formulae IIa to IIg

in which R⁰ is H, n-alkyl, oxaalkyl, fluoroalkyl or alkenyl, each having up to 9 carbon atoms.
 8. The liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, comprising at least one compound of following formulae:

in which R⁰ is n-alkyl, oxaalkyl, fluoroalkyl, alkenyloxy or alkenyl, each having up to 9 carbon atoms, Y¹ is H or F, alkyl and alkyl* are each, independently a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1-9 carbon atoms, alkenyl and alkenyl* are each, independently a straight-chain or branched alkenyl radical having up to 9 carbon atoms.
 9. The liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, characterised in that the proportion of compounds of the formula IA in the mixture as a whole is 5 to 40% by weight.
 10. An electro-optical liquid-crystal display containing a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim
 1. 